Spartans bag 7s title
The National, Monday March 3rd, 2014
By WENDY KATUSELE
SPARTANS are the national sevens women’s champions.
They collected the crown after a 15-10 win over fellow Port Moresby team Southern Chiefs in the National Provincial Sevens championships final yesterday at the Monier Rugby Park.
The John Larry-coached side proved they can produce championship winning rugby despite an exodus of players to other clubs. The victory also speaks volumes of Larry’s ability to develop players into a top-notch unit despite their inexperience.
Spartans were first to score through Jemaima Merauje off a pass from workaholic and captain Dulcie Bomai for an unconverted try.
Three minutes later Chiefs Palais Pauline Arazi touched down to level the score at 5-5 at half-time.
Arazi picked up her double to put Chief back in the hunt in the second half.
Down with six players Spartans took advantage of the shortage in troops to score just before full time to claim the national cup.
A proud coach Larry made special mention of his unknown young players in Helen Abau, Jackie Travert, Augusta Luveana, Alice Alois and Mavis Mitiharo for providing the valuable support to the experienced players in Bomai, Merauje, Joyce Jomis and Geau Larry.
“We still the champions and I am proud of that,” an elated Larry said after the match.
He also attributed to the victory to the morale boost sponsors PNG Airconditioning and Island Breeze gave to them in their quest for the Cup.
The two-day tournament saw a feast of top rugby from the under 15, under 19 and open women’s division.
Autonomous Region of Bougainville took out the Under-15 and Under 19 Cup final, proving they would be a side to be reckoned in future.
AROB defeated Port Moresby International School 15-0 in the under-15 and also beat POMIS in the under 19, 10-5.
Madang’s Brisbane-based Maluga Dickson won the player of the tournament despite her team going down to Port Moresby Sisters 5-7 in the plate final.
Dickson and fellow Brisbane-based Amelia Cook played for Madang hoping for a selection into the Papua New Guinea Palais side expected to be announced today.
Nova beat Barbarians in the bowl final 15-5.